SLIPPERY ROCK — Longtime Slippery Rock University baseball coach Jeff Messer knew when it was time for Ricky Mineo to call it a day.

It may be quite a while before Mineo calls it a career.

The Slippery Rock High School graduate and SRU junior right-hander continued his hot start this season with an 8-1 win over California (Pa.) University in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday at Critchfield Park.

He allowed only two baserunners — a single and a walk — in the first five innings and struck out eight of the first 16 batters he faced.

With one out in the fifth, Mineo allowed consecutive hits — and was removed from the game by Messer.

“His arm has been getting stiff at times,” Messer said. “Ricky felt fine today, but there was no reason to take a chance. We had a nice lead, so we got him out of there.

“As well as he's been pitching, we don't want to push anything. He's been outstanding.”

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mineo is 4-0 this season with 41 strikeouts and a 2.01 earned run average. He is leading the PSAC in wins and strikeouts.

And pro scouts are taking notice.

Scouts representing the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Oakland A's and Los Angeles Dodgers were on hand Saturday to see him in action.

Mineo is a sophomore in terms of college baseball eligibility. Being a junior academically, he is draft eligible.

“Absolutely,” Mineo said. “What kid doesn't want to play pro ball? I've been thinking about it since I was a little kid.

“If it happens this year, I'd definitely listen. I'd love it.”

Of course, he loves playing for The Rock as well. SRU is off to an 11-3 start this season, 3-1 in PSAC West play.

“This is the most fun I've ever had playing baseball,” Mineo said. “This team is awesome. There is so much talent here.”

Connor (catcher Hamilton) does a tremendous job calling pitches. I don't even have to worry about that part of the game.”

Hamilton, a transfer from West Virginia University, has been attracting scouts' attention as well.

“In terms of all-around ability on a baseball field, Connor is the best catcher I've had here ... and I've had some good ones,” Messer said. “He's been great for Ricky.

“It's not hard to see why the scouts have interest in (Mineo). He's got a 6-foot-5 frame and still has room to fill it out. He throws downhill and he throws hard.

“Definitely swing-and-miss stuff,” Messer added.

Mineo's fastball has been clocked at 94 mph. He's averaging between 90 and 92, but has a slider he's throwing for strikes as well as a knuckle-curve.

“My fastball's been setting up that (knuckle-curve) nice,” Mineo said. “Being able to get my off-speed stuff over had my fastball seem quicker.”

SRU pitching coach Sean Holliday said he won't be surprised if Mineo's name is called during June's amateur draft.

“Not at all,” he said. “His fastball really moves and he's been spotting it well. Ricky has made tremendous strides from last year to this one.”

The shortened 2020 season — being canceled after just 10 games — had something to do with that.

“All of a sudden, we had all that down time and I used it,” Mineo said. “I hit the weight room hard. I was able to fine-tune my mechanics, simply work on things without having to get ready to pitch in a game.

“That whole thing, the season being shut down, may have been a blessing in disguise for me.”

Messer won't argue.

“I could see the difference in him during fall ball,” Messer said. “He's picked up where he left off from there.

“He's our horse right now.”